Chapter 152 A Paradise for Men, a Forbidden Land for Women
"Isn't there any inspection here?"
Looking at the indifferent Fishman soldiers on both sides, Nico Robin looked at Manlong with some surprise.
Manlong shook his head. "Most humans who come to Fishman Island are pirates aiming to cross the Red Line, so inspections are essentially unnecessary."
"I see." Nico Robin nodded slightly in understanding.
There are two ways to traverse the Red Line.
The first is the official route, which involves undergoing World Government inspection and scaling the Red Line.
The second is passing through Fishman Island.
Law-abiding citizens naturally prefer the former.
Those choosing the latter are, as Manlong said, basically outlaws like pirates.
Given the way pirates carry themselves, most are defiant and unruly.
Although Fishman Island is a member of the World Government, their race is considered a total outlier within it.
To put it plainly, they are unwelcome.
If Fishman Island dared to conduct inspections, it would certainly be ravaged by the pirates passing through.
Furthermore, the World Government would likely turn a blind eye.
Without any hindrance, the two warships quickly passed through the second layer of the bubble and docked smoothly at the port inside Fishman Island.
"Next is free time. Remember, we are a hunting team, not pirates. If anyone hasn't spent all the activity funds I gave you, I'll reduce your allowance next time."
Seeing his eager subordinates, Zane waved his hand with a laugh.
"Whoo-hoo!!!"
Amidst a series of wolf howls, the hunting team members rushed down, hurrying to experience the legendary scenery of Fishman Island.
Even steady men like Wyper and Bones were no exception.
It couldn't be helped; any normal man would find it hard to remain indifferent to a paradise like Fishman Island.
"Captain, how about I stay with you instead?" Baby 5 looked at Zane with a pitiful expression.
"Yeah, yeah. As for recruitment, I can just assist Manlong. Let Baby 5 stay with you, Captain!" Nico Robin unusually didn't bicker with Baby 5, instead nodding in agreement.
Fishman Island: a paradise for men, a forbidden land for women.
Having fully understood Zane's nature, Nico Robin naturally didn't want him wandering Fishman Island alone.
If she wasn't careful, there might be one—or even several—more people competing for a seat at the table in the future.
"Don't be silly. Recruitment is of the utmost importance. Manlong isn't good with words; he can handle the muscle, but you two need to assist with communication to ensure everything goes smoothly," Zane said righteously.
Was he kidding?
His subordinates were all out having a blast. If he, the boss, was kept on a leash, where would his authority go?
Zane's words sounded noble and dignified.
But Nico Robin, seeing through his true intentions at a glance, simply rolled her eyes.
However, she didn't press the issue.
Just as she had proactively taken on the task when she learned Zane wanted to recruit soldiers on Fishman Island.
She also knew they would face a counterattack from the World Government, so she placed great importance on expanding their forces.
"Fine," Baby 5 pouted.
But with Zane's soothing, she still left with Nico Robin and Manlong.
'These guys didn't even wait for me. Totally lawless!'
Watching the three depart, Zane immediately looked in the direction his subordinates had gone.
Unsurprisingly, they had long since vanished.
Indignant, Zane hurried to catch up.
He even transformed directly into lightning to avoid being beaten to it by his men.
"Oh my, you have such a great body, sir. Can I feel your abs?"
"Hahaha—Look at what you're saying. Come on, give them a good feel. Does it make your heart flutter?"
"You're so bad, sir, but I like it."
"Hahahaha!"
"I want to feel them too!"
...
Mermaid Cove.
Amidst bursts of laughter, beautiful mermaids with stunning figures, wearing only simple swimwear, surrounded Zane.
Resting his arms on the edge of the pool, Zane—wearing only a pair of swimming trunks—grinned triumphantly as the mermaids giggled and stepped forward to test the hardness of his abdominal muscles.
A good physique was trained to be shown off.
Especially in front of the opposite sex; if you didn't show it off, wouldn't all that training be for nothing?
Money paved the way.
Any so-called exclusion had to step aside.
From the moment he arrived at Mermaid Cove, Zane hadn't faced any discrimination; instead, he received a warm welcome from the mermaids.
The others in the hunting team were in the same boat.
Whether it was Wyper or Bones.
Any man in the hunting team had tacitly decided on Mermaid Cove as their first sightseeing stop.
In other pools,
members of the hunting team, accompanied by mermaids, laughed even more unrestrainedly than Zane.
"Mr. Zane, we offer even higher quality services here. Would you like to see for yourself?"
Amidst the playful banter, a mermaid with long, curly blonde hair and the most striking appearance suddenly swam over to Zane's side.
Leaning against his shoulder, her tempting red lips approached his ear, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear.
His ear felt itchy.
Zane turned to look at her.
Up close, their faces were only a few centimeters apart.
The mermaid didn't back down; instead, she gave a charming smile and proactively leaned in closer, planting a kiss on the corner of Zane's mouth.
"My standards are very high, you know." Zane looked at the exceptionally beautiful mermaid and smiled as he placed a hand on her waist.
The mermaid wrapped her arms around Zane's neck and giggled, "My standards are also very high. Besides..."
Speaking, she leaned in again and whispered in his ear, "I just turned thirty two days ago!"
Mermaids are different from fishmen.
Especially female mermaids.
Once a female mermaid reaches thirty, her tail can split into legs.
Men like beautiful women.
Women likewise like handsome men.
As a mermaid who had just become capable of splitting her legs, her current invitation was clearly a high recognition of Zane's looks and physique.
"Is that so? Then I must see it for myself!" Hearing her words, Zane felt a surge of respect.
The hand on her waist tightened immediately.
Seeing Zane's reaction, the mermaid laughed even more radiantly.
Boom!!!
On the street, as the bar doors were smashed to pieces, a figure flew out and fell miserably onto the pavement.
"Captain!!"
"Boss Jones!!"
...
From the broken doorway of the bar, several figures hurriedly ran out to check on the fallen figure.
"Get lost!!"
Hordy Jones, with his long, black curly hair, indignantly pushed away the subordinates who wanted to help him up.
Rising quickly, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth while looking at the bar entrance with shock and fury.
He stepped out.
Manlong walked out of the bar with a steady stride under Hordy Jones's angry gaze.